Polyphenon e Inhibits the Growth of Human Barrett's and Aerodigestive Adenocarcinoma Cells by Suppressing Cyclin D1 Expression

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-15-2009

Description

Purpose: Green tea consumption has been shown to exhibit cancer-preventive activities in preclinical studies. Polyphenon E (Poly E) is a well-defined green tea - derived catechin mixture. This study was designed to determine the effects of Poly E on the growth of human Barrett's and aerodigestive adenocarcinoma cells and the mechanisms involved in growth regulation by this agent. Experimental Design: Human adenocarcinoma cells and immortalized Barrett's epithelial cells were used as model systems. Results: Poly E inhibited the proliferation of immortalized Barrett's cells as well as various adenocarcinoma cells, and this was associated with the down-regulation of cyclin D1 protein expression. Inhibition of cyclin D1 led to dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein in a dose-dependent manner; these changes were associated with cell cycle arrest. Poly E down-regulated cyclin D1 promoter activity and mRNA expression, suggesting transcriptional repression, and this correlated with decreased nuclear β-catenin and β-catenin/TCF4 transcriptional activity. MG132, an inhibitor of 26S proteosome, blocked the Poly E - induced down-regulation of cyclin D1, and Poly E promoted cyclin D1 polyubiquitination, suggesting that Poly E also inhibits cyclin D1 expression by promoting its degradation. Conclusion: Poly E inhibits growth of transformed aerodigestive epithelial cells by suppressing cyclin D1 expression through both transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms. These results provide insight into the mechanisms by which Poly E inhibits growth of Barrett's and adenocarcinoma cells, and provides a rationale for using this agent as a potential chemopreventive and therapeutic strategy for esophageal adenocarcinoma and its precursor, Barrett's esophagus.

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